Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Family: Rubiaceae

Phonetic spelling: sef-ah-LAN-thus ock-sih-den-TAH-liss

By Talia Gould

Description:

Buttonbush is a wetland deciduous, perennial shrub native to eastern and southern North America, Central America and Cuba. Normally a small shrub up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, button bush can grow as a tree up to 20 feet. It can be used for wetland restoration, riparian zones, and created wetlands. Naturally, it is found from Florida to Mexico and north to Nova Scotia, best adapted for shorelines and swamps in full sunlight. It features flowers in fragrant dense, round clusters that bloom June to September with reddish-brown fruits that persist into winter. Buttonbush has significant ecological benefits attracting many types of pollinators, mammals, and songbirds along with providing erosion control and drainage on wet sites. It is moderately resistant to deer and provides food for various species.

Buttonbush is adaptable to many soil types except dry ones, preferring moist to wet soils in full to partial sun. It is tolerant to heat and soil compaction but flowering is poor in shade and dry soils. It is ideal for a rain or water garden, surrounding a pond or stream, or a pollinator or native garden.

Plant Details

Growing Conditions:
- USA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
- Moisture Requirements: Requires consistently wet soil and does good in wet, swampy or near aquatic environments.
- Soil Preferences: Acidic (<6.0).
- Soil Texture: Clay, Loam, Sand, Organic, Shallow rocky.
- Soil Moisture: Standing water, moist to wet.
- Pruning & Maintenance: Buttonbush can be fertilized with slow release fertilizer to enhance flowering and seed production. Controlling competition during the first growing season is a challenge: Remove any existing vegetation within a 2 foot diameter where the seedling has been planted.
- Bloom Time: Summer.
- Recommended Propagation Strategy: Seed, stem cutting.
- Straight Species Size: 6′-8′ tall x 6′-8′ wide.
Ecological Services:
- Food Source: Songbirds and waterfowl eat seeds. The plant provides nectar to pollinators.
- Beneficial Insects & Birds: Hummingbirds, songbirds.
  - Butterflies
    - Eastern Tiger Swallowtails
    - Monarchs
    - Painted Ladies
    - Fritillaries
  - Moths
    - Titan Sphinx moth
    - Hydrangea spinx
    - Royal walnut moth
- Larval Host: Larval host to around 20-25 species of butterflies and moths.
  - Titan sphinx moth
  - Hydrangea sphinx moth
  - Royal walnut moth
  - Promethea silkmoth
  - Beautiful wood nymph
  - Definite tussock moth
Insects, Diseases or Problems: No serious insect pests or major diseases.

: ‘Magical Moonlight’ is a compact Cephalanthus selection released by Plants Nuveau. It is floriferous and has larger than average fruits which provide seeds for birds through fall and winter.

4′ tall x 4′-5′ wide
: ‘Sugar Shack’ originated from a controlled breeding program in Grand Haven, Michigan, developed by Spring Meadow Nursery to create a compact, dwarf Cephalanthus with red-tinged spring foliage, fragrant flowers, and red fruit.

4′-5′ tall x 4′-5′ wide

Additional Resources

Buttonbush USDA

References

North Carolina Extension. (n.d.). Cephalanthus occidentalis. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cephalanthus-occidentalis/
Photos by Bill Errickson, PhD.